Forum Moderators: open
1) I think Google is fantastic, no doubt.
2) I think PageRank is a great tools for users. (Thinking as a user, as it must be done)
3) I think that the ODP efforts are incredible and
that this is a very remarkable non profit whole work.
But.....
Looking at the evident problems that ODP is having to get the directory updated, with extreme delays in listings, with add url forms that do not work, with an obvious need of new editors, (many categories without one), and they are NOT replying to most new editor's proposals, with email addresses giving permanent fatal errors, etc, etc, I really can't understand how Google can still having that strong dependence with ODP, which is clearly "pulling down" the overall Google quality.....
It looks to me like a gorgeous Rolls Royce using a VW Beetle carburator....
Can't Google organize it's own directory?
Can't Google help in any way to ODP to suit their actual severe problems?
Just my two cents of devaluated argentine peso.....
The topic:
The main purpose of my initial post on this thread was try to find an explanation about the relationship between a magnificent search engine and a full of problems volunteer human edited directory.
Google was using ODP data for their directory before their relationship with AOL. A human-edited directory provides an authoritative, topically ordered set of web sites. It's free and it serves its purpose just fine.
From a technical and management standpoint, Google could run it better. They've got the brainpower, the right attitude and the right company spirit.
The people who look in the directory see only the sites that are in there, which at Google are ordered by Page Rank as an indicator of importance. They don't miss what's not in there, and their lives aren't much the worse for it. If there's anything at all wrong with ODP it's certainly nothing that's evident to the users - and that's exactly who Google is interested in and what they're interested in - providing a satisfactory search experience for their users.
If people can't get listed because they don't meet guidelines, or because there isn't enough volunteer time being put in to please them so that their sites get in fast enough so they can rank better and make money off the volunteers' free labor, then that's one thing.
There's not one single volunteer in this world who owes one single businessperson squat with helping them make money for themselves. That's not what it's all about, which seems to be an overlooked fact. People who volunteer for anything do not owe anyone anything; to expect otherwise is a warped or slanted, misguided point of view that's based purely on self-interest. It certainly isn't based on any kind of ethical value structure, and is about as far removed from reality as anyone can get.
But in the eyes of the public, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that Directory.
[edited by: Marcia at 11:36 pm (utc) on Aug. 1, 2003]
<snip>
And to comment the original thread;
"I really can't understand how Google can still having that strong dependence with ODP, which is clearly "pulling down" the overall Google quality.....
It looks to me like a gorgeous Rolls Royce using a VW Beetle carburator...."
Well Mexico is the only country building the Beetle and this is the last year for the Beetle in Mexico.
[edited by: Marcia at 11:40 pm (utc) on Aug. 1, 2003]
[edit reason] No specifics allowed to be pointed out. [/edit]
